Cebu Fun Divers
Google 4.9/5 (481 reviews)
6.1 km away as the crow flies
Moalboal · Philippines · Asia
Max. depth · 80 mAirplane Wreck, Moalboal: artificial reef diving
Explore the intentionally sunk Cessna biplane, now a thriving artificial reef that hosts a variety of marine life on a sandy slope.
What makes this site special
- Two-seater Cessna biplane wreck at 18-20 meters
- Artificial reef hosting diverse marine life
- Resident triggerfish and sweetlips species
- Frequent turtle sightings
- Combination of wreck, sandy slope, and deep wall
- Opportunities for macro photography along the wall
- Accessible for Open Water Diver level
For subtitles in English: start the video firstthen click the gearat the top right of the video, select “Subtitles/CC”, then “Auto-translate” and choose “English”.
Airplane Wreck about the site
The Airplane Wreck site in Moalboal offers a unique dive experience centering around a two-seater Cessna biplane, intentionally sunk over three decades ago. This aircraft was placed as an artificial reef project by the Savedra Dive Center, transforming a sandy slope into a vibrant underwater ecosystem. You'll find it north of Moalboal, about a 20-minute fast boat ride towards Ronda Bay, making for a straightforward approach to the site.
Upon descent, you'll encounter the plane itself, resting between 18 and 20 meters. This depth makes the main structure accessible for Open Water divers. While the plane serves as the central feature, the surrounding sandy slope and deeper wall also contribute to the dive's interest. The light penetration at this depth allows for clear views of the wreck and its resident marine inhabitants, offering a distinct contrast to the nearby wall dives Moalboal is known for.
The wreck now serves as a permanent home for various reef fish. You're likely to see triggerfish (Balistidae) navigating around the plane's structure and schools of sweetlips (Haemulidae) sheltering within. Turtles are also regular visitors, often seen grazing on the corals or resting nearby. The deliberate sinking created a diverse habitat, supporting a mix of marine life that thrives on both the artificial structure and the surrounding natural environment.
Beyond the wreck, the site transitions into a deep wall, known for its macro opportunities and colorful corals. While the Airplane itself rests on a sandy bottom, offering a different topography from the vertical walls of other Moalboal sites, the nearby wall still draws attention from divers. This combination of wreck, sand, and wall provides varied dive profiles, allowing for exploration of both habitat types within a single dive.
Visibility at the Airplane Wreck is generally consistent, allowing for clear observation of both the plane and the smaller macro life. The current here is typically mild, making for a relaxed exploration of the wreck and its immediate surroundings. This allows you to take your time studying the details of the plane and observing the resident creatures without fighting against strong water movement.
Diving Airplane Wreck: the marine life you’ll meet
Diving conditions
This site is accessible from Open Water Diver level, with the main wreck resting at 18-20 meters. Confident Open Water divers will find the conditions manageable. Currents are typically mild, making for a generally relaxed dive experience around the wreck and its nearby sandy slope. While the maximum reported depth extends to 80 meters along the adjacent wall, the primary focus of this dive is within recreational limits.
Three dives not to miss
Map of hotels, dive sites and dive centres in Moalboal
Dive centres in Moalboal
Hotels in Moalboal
Dive liveaboards Moalboal
4 liveaboards run trips to Moalboal.
Frequently asked questions about Airplane Wreck
What diver level is suitable for Airplane Wreck?
Airplane Wreck is accessible to Open Water Divers, and confident Open Water divers should find the conditions manageable. The main wreck rests within recreational diving limits, so you can focus on exploring the aircraft, the nearby sandy slope, and its marine life without requiring a more advanced certification for the central wreck area.
How deep is Airplane Wreck?
The two-seater Cessna biplane at Airplane Wreck rests between eighteen and twenty meters on a sandy slope. A nearby wall reaches a reported depth of eighty meters, but the aircraft is the primary focus and remains within recreational limits. You can therefore explore the wreck while treating the deeper wall as a separate feature.
What are the currents like at Airplane Wreck?
Currents at Airplane Wreck are typically mild, creating a generally relaxed dive around the aircraft and its nearby sandy slope. You can take your time examining details of the plane and observing resident creatures without fighting strong water movement. The manageable conditions suit confident Open Water divers exploring the wreck and immediate surroundings.
What can you see at Airplane Wreck?
At Airplane Wreck, you can explore a two-seater Cessna biplane that now functions as an artificial reef. Triggerfish and schools of sweetlips live around the structure, while turtles regularly visit. Beyond the sandy slope, a deeper wall offers colorful corals and macro photography opportunities, creating varied scenery within the site.
